Plateau state Governor Simon Bako Lalong on Monday denied anointing or endorsing any aspirant for the position of Governor or any other political office in the forthcoming general elections .

The Governor told an APC stakeholders meeting in Jos, Monday 18th April 2022 that the process for emergence of candidates will involve wide consultations.

Our correspondent reports that several aspirants are currently jostling to succeed Governor Simon Lalong

Details soon…

EASTER: GOVERNOR LALONG REJOICES WITH NIGERIANS; SAYS A GREATER FUTURE BECONS

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has congratulated Christians for marking another Easter and urged Nigerians to use the period and reflect on peace, love and hope for a better Nigeria.

Governor Lalong in a message to mark the event said the Crucifixion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ which is at the centre of the Christian faith guarantees victory because despite the agony Jesus passed through, his sufferings brought emancipation and redemption to mankind.

He urged Nigerians to embrace the lessons of Christ’s sacrifice and teachings which speak of resilience, love, patience and determination to overcome evil and provide better situation.

According to him, the current security situation in the country as well as other challenges the nation is passing through call for determination and collaboration among all Nigerians to work together to defeat the forces of evil who are bent on causing pain and agony to the innocent citizens.

Lalong said just like Jesus overcame death and liberated mankind, Nigeria will overcome the current phase of insecurity and destruction that is being perpetrated by criminals who place little value of human life.

The Governor also calls for more prayers and support for the leadership to be able to provide visionary and purposeful leadership for the nation in the coming years so as to enable Nigerians realise their dreams.

Lalong calls on the people to be security conscious and report any suspicious movement of persons or activity to the security agencies in order to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
17th April 2022.

GOVERNOR LALONG VISITS KANAM AND WASE; ASKS FOR DEPLOYMENT OF MORE TROOPS TO BORDER AREAS TO CONFRONT TERRORISTS, AS HE COMMISERATES WITH VICTIMS.

Plateau State Governor on Friday 15th April 2022 visited Kanam and Wase Local Government Areas over the recent killing of over 100 persons by terrorists.

Lalong accompanied by his Deputy Prof. Sonni Tyoden, Secretary to Government Prof. Danladi Atu, Chief of Staff, members of his cabinet, as well as heads of security agencies including the General Officer Commanding 3 Armoured Division and Commander Operation Safe Haven, Commissioner of Police, said he was devastated by the senseless massacre of innocent villagers in the affected areas.

The Governor began his visit at the Palace of the Emir of Kanam, HRH Muhammdu Babangida Muazu where he condoled with him over the unfortunate development.

The Emir thanked the Governor for the visit and said that the people have been devastated over the mass killings which have no provocation or any justification because his people are peace loving and only pursuing their livelihoods, basically farming and trading.

He urged the government to do more by deploying security forces to the affected areas on a permanent basis as well as see to it that intelligence given to the security agencies is acted upon expeditiously.

The Governor later visited injured survivors recieving treatment at the Kanam General Hospital, Dengi where he sympathised with them and directed that all their medical expenses be settled by the Government.

Later at an interactive session with stakeholders at the Kanam Townhall Dengi, the Governor said he was in the area to get further briefing on the attacks and ascertain the situation of survivors.

He described the incident as regrettable and unfortunate, urging the people not to be dismayed as the Government is doing everything possible to arrest those behind the attacks and ensure that the sad incident does not occur again.

He said “those who committed this heinous crime may think that they have escaped but I can assure you that we will never allow them to go free no matter how long it takes. I am sure that God will also not allow them to go unpunished for taking the precious lives of others without reason”.

The Governor assured the people that the State is working with the Federal Government to find lasting solutions to insecurity on the Plateau, the North Central and entire Northern Region.

He disclosed that already, he has briefed President Muhammadu Buhari and appealed for a coordinated approach to tackling terrorist attacks in the North Central particularly at border areas and ungoverned spaces which have become operational bases for the terrorists who criss-cross communities causing damage to lives and properties.

Chairman of Kanam Local Government Hon. Dayyabu Garga described as horrific the killing of 106 people which he said has never been witnessed in the area known for its peace, abundant mineral and agricultural resources. He said they have remained traumatised and continue to deal with the unquantifiable losses and displacement of women and children.

Member representing Pankshin, Kanke, Kanam Federal Constituency Yusuf Gagdi also thanked the Governor and the security forces for rising to the occasion to dominate the attacked areas which is gradually restoring hope to the people.

He also thanked the Governor for his efforts to mobilise humanitarian support and relief materials from both the State and Federal Governments as well as non governmental organisations.

Other speakers also thanked the Governor for the visit, but emphasised the fact that because Plateau State shares borders with Bauchi, Taraba and Gombe States along vast forest areas, it makes them vulnerable to attacks by criminals who operate with impunity because of the lack of permanent presence of security forces.

When the Governor visited Wase Local Government, he met with stakeholders at the Local Government secretariat where he again commissetared with them over the unfortunate development and assured them that the Government is taking steps to ensure that the terrorists are arrested and the area is made safe again.

He said the Government will not allow criminals to terrorise the people and stop them from farming and going about their legitimate businesses.

Chairman of Wase Local Government Area Dr. Ado Abubakar Buba told the Governor that vigilante groups have continued to work with Operation Rainbow and other security agencies to gather intelligence and provide first line if action against the terrorists and other criminals.

He appealed to the Government to sustain recent clearance operations which has tremendously helped to restore confidence, urging for the diligent prosecution of arrested suspects.

Speaking on behalf of the heads of security agencies, GOC 3rd Armoured Division and Commander Operation Safe Haven Maj. Gen. Ali also sympathised with the people and assured them of further deployment of troops to the general area in addition to coordinated response to address cross border attacks across the frontline states.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
15th April 2022.

Rep. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi (APC-Plateau) has donated relief items and N2.5 million to victims of recent attacks in Kanam and Wase Local Government Areas of Plateau.
Gagdi, representing Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam Federal Constituency of the state, made the donation on Friday when he visited the affected communities.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that gunmen had on Sunday, April 10, stormed some communities in Kanam and Wase and killed some persons, injured scores and razed many houses.
Gagdi said that the donation was to alleviate the sufferings of the displaced persons as a result of the ungodly activities of the criminals.
The lawmaker said he had also donated 10 motorcycles to the communities to assist the local vigilantes in intelligence gathering.
He called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to support the victims with relief materials.
NAN reports that the items included 100 pieces of Six springs mattresses, 50 bags each of rice and maize, 400 pieces of clothing and 100 bundles of roofing sheets.
(NAN)

The leader of the DVD Movement in Plateau State, Nde David Victor Dimka fsi has expressed shock over the sudden demise of the Statistician- General of tge Federation, Dr.Simon Harry.

The late Dr. Harry who is a very close friend of the governorship hopeful passed on yesterday after a brief illness.

“I have lost a friend and brother. One of the finest public servants from Plateau State who dedicated himself to service of this nation. Unfortunately he could not live long to give his best after being appointed by the President as Statistician -General of the country last year”, he said.

The DVD leader has therefore expressed his condolences to the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Simon Bako Lalong, the people of Plateau State and Bassa LGA over the unfortunate development.

He prayed God to grant the deceased a peaceful rest.

It would be recalled that the deceased was appointed as Statiscian -General of the Federation by
President Muhammadu Buhari after his predecessor, Dr. Yemi Kale, completed his second term tenure of five years on August 16th, 2021.

Dr. Harry was the Director, Corporate Planning and Technical Coordination Department of National Bureau of Ststistics (NBS) with almost three decades of statistical experience. He joined the erstwhile Federal Office of Statistics as Statistician 11 in 1992 and rose to the position of a substantive Director of Statistics in 2019.

#DVD Media.

GOVERNOR LALONG VISITS BASSA; VOWS TO CONFRONT THOSE WORKING AGANIST RESTORATION OF PEACE

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong along with some of his top officials were in Miango, Bassa Local Government Area on Thursday, 14th April 2022 to meet with the stakeholders over the recurring attacks in the area.

At the meeting attended by the Paramount ruler of Irigwe nation, HRH Bra Ngwe Rigwe Rev. Ronku Aka, community, youth and women representatives as well as political and religious leaders, Governor Lalong said his mission was to again condole with the people over the incessant killings and destruction of properties in the area which are a major setback to the progress of the entire state.

He commended the Irigwe people for their resilience, patience and efforts to live in peace with their neighbours despite the losses they have incurred overtime from attacks by criminal elements.

The Governor praised them for their positive attitude towards peace building which led them to signing a peace pact with the Fulani with whom they have lived together peacefully for a long time, until criminal elements came in to fan embers of hate, destruction and crises.

He said the Irigwe made the right decision to work together with the Fulani they know and have dwelt together peacefully over many years in order to isolate criminals who come in and try to exploit faultlines and cause chaos. This he said will assist both sides identify criminal elements who use ethnicity, religion and other excuses as a cover to perpetrate while leaving many innocent people in pains and agony.

He urged them to resist the incitement and provocation by criminal elements both external and internal who seek to stop the development of the area and the prosperity of the State, assuring them that Government will follow them and ensure that they are dealt with rudelessly.

According to the Governor, those who have continued to peddle falsehood that his administration does not like the Irigwe people are mischievous persons who want to politicise insecurity in orde to gain popularity through misinformation and fake news.

He reminded them that he has held several meetings with their leaders facilitated by the Peace Building Agency aimed at finding solutions to the recurring attacks in the area.

Lalong regretted the loss of lives and properties and the displacement of people promising that the Government will assist those displaced to get their shelter back as well as continued to provide relief materials and support to those whose lives have been interrupted by the attacks.

In his remarks, the Bra Ngwe Irigwe HRH Rev. Ronku Aka expressed gratitude to Governor Lalong for his commitment to restoring peace in Irigwe land despite the many setbacks experienced and attempt by some to discredit him.

He appealed to the Governor to use all his powers and ensure that anyone who breaches the terms of the agreement is dealt with according to the law so as to serve as a deterarnt to others because his people are tired of the unwarranted attacks and losses.

Chairman of the Irigwe Development Association Mr. Robert Dodo in his presentation said the security forces have done their best but still operate reactively rather than proactively.

He also asked the government to resolve the boundary adjustments within the area which is also a factor in the level of insecurity in the area.

Irigwe Youth Movement President Mr. Ezekiel Bini and the Woman leader Mrs. Caroline Gwendu asked for the quick passage of the Ranching Bill currently in the Plateau State House of Assembly in order to deal with the issue of open grazing that is at the centre of the attacks and displacement in the area.

He also appealed to the Government to empower the vigilante groups so as to enable them provide first line of defence and intelligence against any attack.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
14th April 2022.

Former Governor of plateau state, Senator Joshua Chibi Dariye has been released from prison.

The senator has been pardon at the council of State meeting held at the presidential villa today 14th April,2023.

The meeting had in attendance of Ex Presidents which includes Gen. Yakubu Gowon,Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar and Dr. Good luck Ebele Jonathan in attendance.

The former Governor of plateau state was sentence for corruption related offense by Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) when he held sway as governor of the state.

However, the story is still sketchy as at time of filling this report.

“DEATH OF STATISTITIAN GENERAL, DR. SIMON HARRY A HUGE LOSS TO NIGERIA” – GOVERNOR LALONG

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has described as shocking and painful the death of the Statistician-General for the Federation, Dr. Simon Harry.

Governor Lalong while reacting to the death of Dr. Harry, said his demise is a huge loss to the nation considering the fact that he was one of those who shaped the National Bureau for Statistics (NBS) and saw to its reform and transformation before he was appointed to head the Agency in August 2021 by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Governor Lalong who had visited the deceased in hospital while he was undergoing medical treatment in Abuja, said the death of this illustrious son of Plateau and a patriotic Nigerian was a sad development which creates a vacuum not only to his family, but the State and nation at large.

While commiserating with his immediate family, friends and associates, Governor Lalong said although his exit is sorrowful, there is solace by the records of service and excellence he left behind which are evident in his diligence, passion and honesty which paved the way for him to rise through the ranks and become the number one Statistician in Nigeria until his death.

He urged all to accept his death as the will of God and pray for the repose of his soul, while working hard to uphold his good legacies and ensuring that his positive contributions to the society are sustained.

Lalong also appreciated President Buhari for trusting the deceased with the responsibility of superintending over the nation’s foremost statistics agency.

 

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.

14th April 2022

GOVERNOR LALONG ORDERS SECURITY FORCES TO GO AFTER TERRORISTS WHO ATTACKED KANAM/WASE COMMUNITIES; COMMISERATES WITH VICTIMS

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has vowed to make it difficult for terrorists and other criminals to set their bases in any part of the State and use same to launch attacks on innocent citizens.

Governor Lalong while reacting to the terrorist attacks on some communities in Kanam and Wase Local Government Areas where many people were killed with houses and properties destroyed, condemned the irresponsible act and vowed that those behind it will be made to pay a heavy price.

Lalong who expressed deep regrets over the dastardly act said he has directed security forces to dominate the area after their initial response which put a stop to the carnage. He also charged them to go after the fleeing terrorists and ensure that they pay for their crimes.

According to the Governor, Plateau State will never be used as a safe haven for terrorists to set up camps and use same to wreak havoc on communities and innocent citizens in the State and elsewhere.

Governor Lalong said the State Security Council has adopted far reaching measures to strengthen all security measures and enhance the capacity of the security agencies to respond to all situations that cause a breach of the peace in any part of the State.

Lalong who sympathised with the communities affected, promised them justice as those behind the attacks will not be allowed to go without punishment. He also directed the State Emergency Management Agency and the Peace Building Agency to immediately visit the areas, assess the situation and provide relief as well as trauma management.

He said the State has already approached the Federal Government for collaboration to deal with the terrorists hibernating in the general area once and for all to enable people go about their legitimate businesses without molestation and harassment.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
11th April 2022.

NORTHERN GOVERNORS CONGRATULATE ALIKO DANGOTE AT 65

The Northern Governors Forum has rejoiced with business tycoon Alhaji Aliko Dangote as he marks his 65th birthday.

In a message on behalf of his colleagues, Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong described Aliko Dangote as a source of pride to the Northern Region, Nigeria, Africa and the world at large as he has demonstrated uncommon industry, patriotism and business prowess throughout his life.

Lalong said the success of Dangote in the business world has impacted the lives of the citizens positively and contributed enormously to the economic growth of the country and continent at large.

He commended Dangote for maintaining his vision of industralising Nigeria and Africa as well as also ensuring that the nation’s economy is developed in line with the abundant human and natural endowments of Nigeria which are largely under utilised.

Governor Lalong said the Northern Governors are particularly excited about the role that Africa’s richest business man has played, and continues to play in creating jobs and fighting unemployment.

Lalong said the Forum cherishes the goodwill and solidarity that Dangote has extended to States individually and collectively through direct investments in the local economy as well as his philanthropic interventions to the indigent, particularly victims of crises in the region who are displaced or traumatised.

The Forum wishes Alhaji Dangote many more years of good health, God’s blessings and protection, urging him to continue to carry on with his landmark investment activities such as the refinery which is expected to contribute significantly to Nigeria’s development.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State and Chairman, Northern Governors Forum.
10th April 2022.